Management
Bipartisan Bill Would Standardize Public Health Data and Bolster Sharing
The legislation would also establish a cross-agency working group for ongoing recommendations.
Management
Labor Authority: Unions Can't Do 'Grassroots' Lobbying on Official Time
Although federal employee groups decried the decision, the Federal Labor Relations Authority stopped short of a conservative anti-labor organization's request to outlaw direct lobbying of lawmakers while on official time.
Oversight
Lawmakers Ask Watchdog to Review New Coronavirus Data Reporting System Housed Within HHS
“We are concerned that these reporting changes undermine the nation’s COVID-19 response efforts,” wrote top House Energy and Commerce Committee members.
Management
AFGE Pushes for Workforce Protections in Defense Policy Bill Negotiations
The nation’s largest federal employee union urged lawmakers to include collective bargaining protections and fix a soon to be implemented paid parental leave law.
Defense
Harris’ Foreign Policy Looks Mainstream, But Remains a Bit of a Mystery
But will it matter in an election that is likely to turn on domestic issues?
Oversight
The White House Paid Up to $500 Million Too Much for These Ventilators, Congressional Investigators Say
A House panel says “gullible” White House negotiators overpaid for Phillips ventilators, and it has asked the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General to investigate evidence of fraud in the deal.
Oversight
Lawmakers Look to Further Strengthen Whistleblower Protections
Bills in the House and Senate would ban federal officials from blocking employees from sharing information with Congress, prohibit retaliatory investigations and protect more workers.
Defense
Trump Sidesteps Congress To Install Controversial Pentagon Nominee
A legal loophole may allow Tata to take the top job without Senate confirmation at all.
Management
White House Objects to Language Preventing OPM-GSA Merger and Other Workforce Provisions in House 'Minibus' Spending Bill
Veto threat also lists objections to provisions that would undermine the White House’s approach to labor-management relations.
Management
Bipartisan Bill Would Establish Multi-Agency Effort for Carbon Removal
A committee would develop a strategic plan for research and development on carbon dioxide removal in the air, lands and oceans.
Defense
GOP Senators Stall Tata Nomination for Top Pentagon Post
After Islamophobic remarks, Trump’s controversial pick to be Defense Department’s policy chief is in troubled waters.
Management
Expanded Telework Could Save Individual Feds $2.5K-$4K Annually
Lessons from the pandemic have big implications for federal offices and employees, lawmakers and experts say.
Management
Senate GOP’s Coronavirus Relief Package Would Fund Controversial Plan to Rebuild FBI Headquarters in D.C.
The Trump administration in 2017 scrapped a decade-long plan to reconstruct the facility in the Washington suburbs.
Oversight
Lawmakers From Both Parties Seek Greater Vaccine Oversight
Under “Operation Warp Speed,” the Trump administration hopes to develop and distribute a vaccine for COVID-19 by early 2021.
Oversight
Advocacy Groups Press Congress to Support Pandemic Whistleblower Protection Legislation
This comes as Congress is working on the next massive coronavirus relief package.
Defense
Progressives Mount Assault on Defense Spending Ahead of Stimulus Package, Election
During a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing, one Democrat questioned defense firms access to coronavirus stimulus money.
Management
Senate Democrats Urge Vote on Bill that Would Federalize the Medical Supply Chain, Bolster Transparency
"There is no way for this country to have enough personal protective equipment...without the federal government stepping up," said one senator.
Pay & Benefits
A Push to Get Feds More Help During the Coronavirus Pandemic
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Defense
Foreign Disinformation Campaign Is Targeting Congress, Top Dems Say
Four House lawmakers are demanding an all-member briefing from the FBI.
Management